Historic Beverly

We are incredibly grateful for the community partners who help make our educational programs possible.

This week, we received the exciting news that the printing of our brand-new Revolutionary War curriculum booklets for every 3rd grade student in Beverly has been fully funded by the Beverly Education Foundation. This support will ensure that students across the city have access to engaging, local history resources at no cost to their families or schools.

This investment comes alongside the continued support of Essex National Heritage Area through its Teaching Hidden Histories Initiative, which funds the printing of our Set at Liberty curriculum booklets exploring Black history in Beverly. Thanks to this partnership, every 3rd grade student in Beverly also receives a copy of that resource.

Together, these partnerships help put local history directly into students' hands, connecting them with the people, places, and stories that shaped our community. Thank you for helping keep these educational resources free, accessible, and available to every 3rd grader in Beverly. We are proud to work alongside organizations that believe every student deserves the opportunity to engage with the rich and complex history of their own community.

📷: Our Education Manager, Krystina, with Anna Green from the Beverly Education Foundation at this week's school committee meeting

⚓ When the American colonies declared independence in 1776, they faced a daunting reality: the infant nation had to confront the Royal Navy with severely limited naval resources. The solution? A time-honored practice called privateering—an industry born of necessity that turned patriotic private citizens and merchant vessels into a crucial line of defense. But how did a private citizen legally attack a British ship without being hanged as a pirate? The answer lies in the Letter of Marque and Reprisal.

📜 Historically dating back to the Middle Ages, Letters of Marque and Reprisal were highly regulated government documents that authorized private parties to attack and seize enemy vessels. Without this official paperwork, these maritime actions were considered acts of piracy and subject to criminal prosecution.

During the American Revolution, privateering operated on two distinct levels:
🔹 Letter of Marque: This authorized armed merchant ships to challenge any likely enemy vessel that crossed their path during a normal commercial voyage.
🔹 Privateer Commission: This was issued to vessels whose primary objective was to disrupt enemy shipping.

⚖️ On March 23, 1776, the Continental Congress formalized this process by establishing uniform rules of conduct. To ensure proper behavior under these regulations, owners of privateers had to post monetary bonds. Privateers did not receive government funding; they outfitted their ships entirely at their own expense. However, the financial incentives were massive. If a privateer successfully captured an enemy ship (known as a "prize"), the vessel was brought before an admiralty prize court. Once approved, the proceeds from selling the prize and its cargo were shared among the owners and crew according to a pre-arranged contract. From tiny 8-ton boats to massive 600-ton warships, privateers from ports across the colonies—including Boston, Salem, Beverly, and Newburyport—crippled Britain's commercial fleet, secured vital resources, and helped finance the birth of the new republic.

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It’s not every day that two descendants of Rev. John Hale meet at Historic Beverly, but that’s exactly what happened during our opening day on Saturday!

Stephen Hale of Baltimore, Maryland, stopped by for a visit and had the chance to meet our director, Abby Battis.

Abby is the 8th great-granddaughter of Rev. John Hale, while Stephen is the 7th great-grandson of the Reverend’s brother, Samuel Hale. Despite the generations between them, we think the Hale family resemblance is still going strong!

📬🌊 See Beverly Through a Vintage Postcard Lens! 🌊📬

Join Historic Beverly on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM for a scenic walking tour inspired by our historic postcard collection.

Once celebrated as the "Garden City" for its tree-lined streets and coastal beauty, Beverly attracted visitors seeking fresh ocean air, stunning views, and a summer escape. On this relaxed walk through the historic Gold Coast surrounding Mackerel Cove, we'll compare historic postcard images with today's landscape, discovering what has changed and what still remains.

Along the way, hear stories connected to notable figures including Isabella Stewart Gardner, Louisa Loring, and Alice James, all of whom were drawn to Beverly's elegant seaside charm.

Discover:

✨ Historic postcard views brought to life
✨ Beautiful coastal scenery
✨ Fascinating local stories and architecture
✨ A fresh perspective on Beverly's past and present

Whether you're a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply looking for a beautiful afternoon walk, this tour offers a unique way to experience Beverly.

📅 Saturday, June 13
🕑 2:00 PM
🎟️ Registration Required: https://tinyurl.com/bddkk98n
📍Tour starting point emailed to you on Friday, June 12

🌊📬🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Beautiful Beverly Walking Tour - Historic Beverly Explore Beverly through a new lens on this scenic walking tour inspired by Historic Beverly’s postcard collection. Once known as the “Garden City” for its...

Yesterday in 1776 (June 7), the course of American history changed. Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a groundbreaking resolution to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. This proposal officially moved that the American colonies declare themselves free and independent from British rule.

This wasn't just a single statement; the Lee Resolution actually called for three crucial steps:
1️⃣ A declaration of independence.
2️⃣ A call to form foreign alliances.
3️⃣ A plan for confederation.

In response, Congress formed three committees on June 11 to address each part. Though some delegates initially felt the move was premature and needed instructions from their home colonies, the first part of the resolution (the declaration) was ultimately adopted on July 2, 1776.

We are proud to share this pivotal moment in American history as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of these events.

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Concert today at Hale Farm (39 Hale Street)
2:00pm
Two 45-minute sets
Tickets available at the door
$5 HB Members/$10 non-members

Bring a chair or a blanket and some snacks and enjoy an afternoon of brass & history with the New England Brass Band!

Looks like we will squeak out the concert tomorrow (6/7) before the storms move in! The concert is a GO!!!! If anything changes it will be posted here by 11:00am tomorrow, if you have registered you will receive an email, and the website event will be updated. See you at Hale Farm!

Looking for the perfect weekend afternoon? 🎶

Grab your picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and join us for an afternoon of live music at historic Hale Farm! We are thrilled to host the incredible New England Brass Band for a special open-air performance. 🎺🥁

This talented 30-piece brass and percussion ensemble brings the rich "British Brass Band" tradition to life, featuring top musicians from all across New England. You'll get to enjoy two beautiful 45-minute sets with a brief intermission—all set against the stunning, historic backdrop of one of Beverly’s most beloved properties. 🏡✨

This wonderful community program is proudly funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Massachusetts250 initiative as we celebrate our shared history and culture! 🇺🇸🎼

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